Topographic mechanism



June 9,' 1931. E. L. MINER ET AL" 1,809,058

TOPOGRAPHIC MEGHANI SM Filed May 21. 1928 Patented June 9, 1931 UN'TE STATES PATENT carica ERNEST L. MINER AND CLARENCE IVE. l'iEA'I-IEREIAN, 0F COLDWATER, MICHIGAN, AS-

SIGNORS TO COLDWATER INSTRUMENT WORKS, F COLDWATER, MICHIGAN TOPOGRAPHIC MECHANISM Application filed May 21, 1928. Serial No. 279,281.

This invention relates to topographic mechanism, and especially to structure for platting stadia notes. Our mechanism includes the usual protractor, and Vernier arc mounted for rotation about the axis of the protractor, the latter and a suitable arm for the Vernier having a common Vertical axis identical with a vertical stem having a sharp lower point intended to be positioned upon the transit point of the drafting board.

The parts of our instrument are held in desired position by means of a vertical standard having a relatively large base for restino' upon the paper, and a connecting bar or roa having one end adjustably attached to the said stem and the other end secured to a stem in alinement with the vertical stem referred to above, but appreciably aboveth-e surface of the protractor. The Vernier ris held in vertical position by pivotal connection with the axial stem and having a'base clamp designed to be detachably mounted upon a suitable rule having a flat surface, so that pivotal movement of the scale or rule about the Vertical stem will rotate with it the Vernier relative to the protractor, when the latter is fixed to the rod connected with the standard.

It is an object of our improved mechanism that it can be used close to the edge of the drafting board, since we can place the vertical standard at any position whose direction from the axis of the protractor forms any desired angle with the elongated scale carrying the Vernier. It is a further object that our protractor and its Vernier are sutliciently high from the paper to make platting easy. A still further object of our structure results from our use of aI very open protract'or structure serving to enable the draftsman to look through these openings in determining the result desired.

It is a special object of our device that the Vernier of our instrument is carried on an arm which has a bearing entirely independent of other moving parts and is therefore, at constant relation to the protractor, as it may easily be fixed, thereby making setting of the scale very accurate. This is not true of former devices of this nature, so far as known to us.

We have described our invention in detail in the specification hereinafter presented, recited the patentable features in the appended claims, and illustrated the structure in the accompanying drawings, in which,-

Figure 1 is a plan View of the mechanism, with the supporting scale shown in dotted lines only; y Y

Figure 2 is a side elevation of the same, with certain parts shown in vertical section on the plane passing through the line indicated by 2--2 of Fig. 1;

Figure 3 is a detail View of the bearing stem for the protractor, with certain parts shown in Vertical section;

Figure 4 is a detail, Vertical section ofthe clamping connection taken in the plane indicated by the line 4--4 of Fig. 2,

Figure 5 is a detail, perspective view of one of the clamp plates lfor the Vernier, and

Figure 6 is a sectional detail View in a vertical plane of the Vernier and rela-ted parts. n

In the drawings we have illustrated our invention as a combination of an open protractor scale 10, with a base 11 of a vertical standard connectedwith the axle of the protractorby connecting rod 12, and a Vernier scale 16 pivoted upon the protractor axle byv the radial'arm 13, the Vernier scale mounted upon the foot 14 having clamping connection with the triangular scale 15 which is suiiiciently elongated to permit desired adjustment of the clamp therealong. y a

While the Vernier 16 is mounted for movement about the protractor-l() in connection with the clamping foot 14, such connection is not iixed but detachable. Such connection `is made by securing an arc-shaped plate 17 to the under surface of the Vernier' 16, and fixedly securing an open yoke 18 upon the under surface of the plate 17 with the arms of the yoke directed downward to form a U-shaped seat for receiving therein detachably, the

. upright extension 20 at the extreme endY of the arm 21 which is integral with the base 14. The said base 14 is designed to be mounted upon the triangular scale 15 having the usual l (iii longitudinal grooves 22 in each face of the scale, the foot 14 having a reduced toe portion 23 adapted to lit into one of said grooves 22. The said base 14 is held in mounted position on the scale by the provision of a counterpart clamp member 19 otl vapproximate L- shape in cross section, andhaving an aperture 24 in one arm to receive therein an attaching screw 25.

The entire instrument -is -mounted upon two standards connected adjustablyin spaced relation by the rod 12. One of these standards 26 extending vertically romthe base 11, has an enlargement 27 apertured toreceive therein the plain end of the rod 12, and an intersecting, vertical aperture threaded to receive therein the screw 28 for securing the rod.i in desired position in the enlargement.

rlhe opposite end of the rod-12 isprovided with a loop or eye 29 Ator connection withthe standard 30. rl'he latter standard 30 is shown as-formedorP two sections in longitudinal alinement connected together as follows: Theupper section otthis standard comprises a threaded portion 31 integral witha cylindrical base portion 32 having an enlarged peripheral ilange33 -atthe lowerlsurace of said base, and the lower tace of the baseprovided with an axial opening 34or-reeei ving therein the upper end o1 the lower. section of the standard 30 in a driving lit. The two sections will therefore `serve asa practical continuousstem having a pointed lower end 35 to rest upon the usual drafting boa-rd and serve to hold the instrument in quite positive position, while the base 11 of the standard 26 willrest smoothly upon the board.

rlhe protractor 10 is mounted upon a diametrical bar 36 having a central aperture 3? which is provided with an upwardly extended circular flange 38 which is threaded externally at 39, as shown clearly in Fig. 3. Above the surface of the bar 36 and about the flange 38 we hL ve mounted a threaded nut 4() fitting the flange threads 39 lor adjustment rotatably thereon, and 'further provided with lower extending peripheral, and flexible flange portions 41 to yieldingly engage the lower surface upon which it may-be forced. As the nut is rotated, the 'flange 41 will descend. i

Y Above the extended flange 38 and the threaded nut 40, an annulus 42 having a peripheral flange 43 adjacent the onefendoit the annulus and of approximately the same radius as the nut 40, is loosely mounted. upon the threaded end 31, and a nut 44 is threaded' upon 31, :so that rotation thereoi` may press down upon any intermediate portion `between the nut and the annulus. The loop or eye 29 is intended to be mounted loosely upon the end 31 before applying Vthe nut 44.7 so that this end of the bar 12 will bel quite tightly held betweenthe members above4 and below the bar.

The detachable mounting of the standard 30 upon the supporting rule 15 is made the more positive by providing the screw member 25 with an intermediate coil spring 45 which normally tends to separate the clamp member 19 away from the foot 14 oi the arm 21, thereby normally permitting vready disengagement of the vernici' support from the rule 15. Rotation of the screw 25 by the head piece 46 -will tend to -orce the screw 25 through the Vernier V1foot `and tighten the upper point of the clamp 19 into the notch 47 ot' thefoot 14, and tighten the lower portion 48intoagroove 22 oi the rule opposite to the groove in which the toe 23 rests. Manipulating the capv46 will permit adjustment of the vernier supportlengthwise oi' the rule.

The integrahparts 14, 20,-and 21 swing in an arc about the standard 30 by provision of the apertured ears 49 through which vthe pointed standard extends lwhich marks -an axis `in vertical alinement with the axis oi the threaded end 31, so that swinging of the outer end of the rule 15 will be guided by mounting of; the lower ear 49 about the standard V3() whose-point 3.5 is closely. adjacent a lower edge of the rnle15 land ont the eameside thereof as the foot piece 14.

. As to details of construction ma'de'use of as illustrated, the Vernier arc 16fis provided with an inner edge having an extended lower tongue() in cross section, whichtits neatly beneath an over-extended tongue 51 on the outer edge of the protractor 10the tongue 51 being continuous, Iabout thei protractor 10, whereby the upper As-urlacesfoif the vernier 16 andsaid protractor 110 vare retainedlin substantially even level, so that the'mainarm 13 ofthe vernier is divided -atits outer end into arms 52 extending over the protractor and the-ends of the vernier arc,to which these arms are detachably secured by screws 53, the latter extending down through the supporting platel' as well.

Operation: Our improved instrument is 1assembled` by first inserting the. plain end o1' the rod 12 in the cross opening of the enlargement 27 and securing the screw 28 down upon the rod. The standard v,30 is now fixed-in the opening 34 of the basef32 and lits lower portion 30 inserted in the apertured ears 49 of the foot 14. The protractor is now .applie'dupon the base 32, the arm 13 mounted upon the iiange'38, and the spring nut v40 screwed down against the arm`13. The vernier arc 16 is now applied in contact ywith the kredgev ot the protracto-r with the tongues and 51 in registration, andthe ends ofthe arc beneath the arms v52, land the plate 17 beneath the Vernier 16, when the screws 53 will fasten the partstogether vertically.

The end 20ct the arm 21 isfnow inserted inthe yoke-18, sot-hat rotation oiv the toot 14 about the standard 30 will move-,the vernier 16 correspondingly about.` thev pratractor and is tightened down upon the parts 13 and 10 by the clamping screw 40. The annulus 42 having a smooth axial opening, is now applied loosely upon the threaded end 31, the eye 29 of the rod 12 applied upon the end 31, and the nut 44 threaded down upon the eye.

By the assemblage of the ends of the rod 12 upon the standards 26 and 30 as explained above, and the pivoting` of the ears 49 upon the standard 30 as illustrated, the parts 13 and 14 are concentrically pivoted about the same vertical axis, and swinging the foot 14 and its associated parts will evidently swing the vernier 16 in cooperative movement. The toe portions 23 and 48 may now be readily mounted upon the rule 15 by inserting suoli toes in the lateral grooves 22, and the parts mounted in suitable relation by tightening the screw 25 against the force of the. spring 45, by actuating the head piece 46 manually.

By the described mounting of the standard 30 and its attached parts upon the scale 15, the swinging of the scale about the standard 30, will be registered in numbers on the arc 16 relative to the protractor 10. rlhe protractor 10 may well be clamped down upon the flange 38 by actuation of the nut 44, and still permit the swinging of the vernier with its supporting scale 15 together, to the desired angle with a line upon which the point 35 may be stationed, the exact angle being shown in the reading of the vernier. lt is especially of importance that when the point 35 is on the transit point, and the scale 15 coincides with the due north line while. the zero of the protractor coincides with the Zero of the vernier, upon releasing the mit 40 the scale 15 may be swung about point 35, and

- readings of bot-h angle and distance may be laid olf simultaneously from this transit point. The raised position of the connecting rod 12 and the relatively heavy base 11 of the standard 26, serve to make convenient such calculations and ready laying oil of the lines desired.

Evidently the scale 15 for supporting the vernier need not be triangular, as we. have illustrated in the drawings, but that any snitable elongated member having proper attaching grooves 22, may be utilized, and such modifications are contemplated.

While this specification sets forth in detail the present and preferred construction of the mechanism, still in practice such deviations from suoli detail may be resorted to as do not form a departure from the spirit of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Having thus described our invention what we claim as new and useful and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. In a topographic mechanism, the combination of vertical standards one of which has a lower pointed end for engaging a drafting board, a connecting rod detachably spacing the upper ends of said standards, a protractor having an apertured cross member for receiving the pointed standard to be supported thereby, a vernier arc swinging about the periphery of said protractor,-and means for pivotally supporting the vernier for movement adj acent the edge of the protractor and in a horizontal plane about the pointed standard upon said board, so that swinging movement of the support means on the board will correspondingly move the vernier about the protractor. 1

2. ln a topographic mechanism, the combination of a pointed supporting standard for engaging a drafting board, a rod having at one end an eye for engaging the-upper end of said standard and means for supporting the opposite end of the rod, a protractor centrally mountedupon the standard beneath the said eye, a vernier arc swinging contiguously about said protractor, an elongated scale adapted for mounting on said board, and means for pivotally supporting said standard in vertical position, and the scale for swinging movement about the standard and in connection with said vernier arc, so that swinging movement of the scale will correspondinGly move the vernier about the protractor, 3. ln a topographic mechanism, the combination of spaced vertical standards, a rod detachably connecting the upper ends of said standards, one of the standards having a lower pointed end for engaging a drafting board and one of the standards having a lower member for supporting the same concentric with the pointed standard, a vernier arc swinging contiguously about said protractor, upon a radial arm having an end held concentric with .the protractor, an elongated, supporting, grooved rule, and mounting means for the vernier member-having one portion for detachably engaging the grooves of said rule and another portion for pivotally engaging the said pointed standard, so that swinging movement ofthe rule in a horizontal plane will be indicated on the scale of the vernier.

4. ln a topographic mechanism, the combination of spaced vertical standards, a rod detachahly connecting the upper ends of said standards and one of the standards having a lower pointed end for engaging a drafting board, a protractor having an apertured cross member for receiving the pointed standard to protractor by the be supported thereby, the upper end of one of the standards having a threaded portion provided with a nut for detachably securing one end of said rod in secured position thereon, a

vernier arc swinging contiguously about said protractor, upon a radial arm having an end held concentric with the protractor, an elongated, supporting, grooved rule, and mounting means for the vernier member having one portion for detachably engaging the grooves of said rule and another portion forA pivotally CTI engaging the said pointed standard, so that swinging movement of the rule in a horizontal plane will be indicated on the protractor by the scale of the Vernier.

5. In a topographic mechanism, the combination ot two vertical standards, a rod adjustably connecting said standards, and one oi' the standards having a lower pointed end for engaging a drafting board and an upper threaded end iorconnection with one end ot said rod, a protractor having a cross member apertured to receive therein the said threaded end, a Vernier arc swinging about said protractor upon a radial arm having an apertured end concentric with and above the protractor, a vertically-extending supporting plate loosely rotated about the point-ed standard, the said vertical plate and Vernier having cooperating means for connection whereby the swinging of th support member will rotate the Vernier therewith, and an enlongated rule having longitr` al grooves thereon, the toot of the supp i member being mounted in said grooves so that movement or the rule upon the board will be indicated von the protractor by the scale oi the Vernier.

G. In a topographic mechanism, he combination of two spaced, Vertical standards adj ustably connected and one of them having a lower pointed end for resting upon a drafting board and an upper threaded end, a protractor having a cross bar apertured for supporting upon the pointed standard, a Vernier' arc mounted upon one end of a radial arm, the latter having an apertured end rotatably fitting axially upon the said protractor, a yoke member secured upon the lower surface of said Vernier arc, and a vertical, supporting plate having apertured eXtensions rotatably mounted about the pointed standard beneath the protractor and having a adial arm provided with an upper extension for litt-ing within the said open yoke, whereby the swinging of the support plate will rotate 'the Vernier relative to the periphery of the protractor, the toot of said supporting plate 'having means for mounting upon an elongated element whose angular movement upon the board will be indicated on the protractor by the scale of the Vernier.

7. ln a topographical mechanism, the combination ot two Vertical standards Va rod adjustably connecting said standards, and one of the standards having a lower pointed end for resting upon adrafting board and an upper threaded end, a protractor raving cross bar apertured for supporting upon the pointed standard, the said protractor having an upturned flange about the central aperture thereof in the form or" a sleeve, an arm, a Vernier arc mounted upon one end and cooperating with said protractor, said arm having an apertured end pivoted above the said protractor and aboutthe said flange and eX- tending radially or the protractor, av yoke wea-oss member vsecured .upon th'elower Asurface of said Vernier arc, and vertical supporting plate having 4apertured extensions receiving said pointed standard beneath the protractor and having a radial arm provided with an upward Xtension for ttingwithin the said open yoke, whereby the swinging of the supporting plate will rotate the Vernier about the periphery o the protractor, the toot of said supporting plate having means for attachment to an elongated element whose angular movement upon the board will be indicated on the protractor by the scale 'of the vernici'.

8. ln a topographic mechanism, the combination of spaced vertical standards having their upper ends detachably connected by `a rod and one or" the. standards having a lower pointed vend for engaging a draft-ing board, a protractor having a cent-rally apertured cross member forxsupporting the `said protractor concentric with the pointed standard, Vernier are swinging about said protractor upon a radial arm having an end held concentric with the protractor, an elongated ygrooved rule Ameans for mounti-nOq the Vernier' member upon said rule and engaging the said grooves detachably, so that swinging the rule in a horizontal plane will correspondingly nove vthe Vernier about the protractor.

ln witness whereof we have hereunto set our hands this 7th day of May, A. D. 1928. i

ERNEST L. MINER. CLARENCE M. LEATHERMAN. 

